5 Common Causes of Atlanta School Bus Accidents

By
Goldstein & Hayes, P.C.
|September 19, 2014

As another school year begins this fall, many parents in the Atlanta area
will be sending their children to school each morning on a school bus.
While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
reports that taking a bus is the safest way for children to get to and from school,
thousands of children are injured each year in school bus-related accidents.
In many cases, school bus accidents are the result of someone’s
negligence, meaning that victims may be able to recover for their injuries
by bringing a personal injury claim.

In order to prevail in a personal injury claim based on a school bus accident,
in most cases a plaintiff must be able to identify the negligent conduct
that caused the accident to happen. School bus accidents can occur for
a number of reasons, and some of the most common include the following:

Bus driver error – While most bus drivers are well trained and operate their vehicles with
the utmost care, some make errors that can result in devastating accidents.
Examples of driver errors include speeding, failing to maintain a proper
lookout, failing to extend the stop sign arm at a stop, failing to wait
for children to cross the street, or not accounting for poor weather conditions.

Other drivers – No one can account for the negligence of other drivers, including the
most attentive and careful of bus drivers. Other drivers cause a significant
number of school bus accidents and can often be held liable for any injuries
they cause.

Poor vehicle maintenance – The party that operates a school bus is responsible for its maintenance
and ensuring that it is safe. Issues such as faulty brakes, worn tires,
and mechanical issues can potentially cause serious and injury-causing
accidents.

Faulty vehicle design or manufacture – Vehicle manufacturers have a duty to ensure that their cars, trucks, and
buses are safe to operate. Design and manufacture defects often can go
unnoticed until after an accident happens, potentially causing catastrophic
injuries to passengers and other motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists.

Because school bus accidents may implicate a public school district, a
special set of legal rules may apply. Under a legal doctrine known as
sovereign immunity, the government and its various subdivisions and agencies
are immune from suit unless they consent to be sued. Further, claims against
governmental entities (states, counties and cities) have specific notice
requirements (Ante Litem Notice) that may be as soon as 6 months after
the accident. If the proper notice is not provided, the claim or lawsuit
may be barred. As a result, it is important that school bus accident victims
discuss their case with an attorney familiar with personal injury law
and bringing suits against public entities immediately after an accident.

Anyone who has been affected by a school bus accident should discuss their
case with an accident attorney immediately. To schedule a free consultation
with one of our experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyers, call Goldstein
& Hayes, P.C. today at (404) 869-8600.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.